Every scar has a tale to tell. It might be a short story, quick and to the point or a longer, drawn out epic. Most people have scars dating back to childhood and the cause may be long forgotten. Others have fresh adult scars from surgery or an accident with a kitchen appliance or gardening tool. What do your scars mean to you? Dana Jennings, a New York Times reporter, shares the story of his scars here.
Photo Credit: Arriving at the horizon
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The Journal of Infusion Nursing recently published a study comparing thrombosis rates associated with the old technique of inserting PICCs (visualization) to the ultrasound guidance method. Data was collected on 538 patients and a significant decline in thrombosis rates was noted with the ultrasound method. To view the study abstract or to purchase a PDF of the full article, click
here.
The nurse you see typing away may be doing more than updating a patient's online medical record - she might be blogging. One hospital in Texas has a blog team with 30 members including nurses, physicians and other hospital employees. A number of hospitals are also uploading medical videos for patient education purposes. Live webcasts of surgical procedures are nothing new, it's the public sharing via YouTube or other online video sharing sites that has given the footage new life. Patients have led the movement of documenting every step of treatment for diseases including cancer and diabetes. A quick Google search on cancer blog returns 51.8 million results. A similar search on diabetes blog comes back with 22 million entries. Read more about how even the operating room is becoming connected.
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A study in a recent issue of the Journal of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology focused on the rate of PICC-related complications in children with cancer in developing countries. Children over 3 years of age who received chemotherapy and PICC placement between June 2003 and May 2007 were studied. The study yielded 119 PICC insertions in a total of 116 patients. To read an abstract of the study or to purchase a PDF of the full article, click here.
Photo Credit: Ryan Chen
Each year hospital-acquired infections sicken 1.7 million patients and kill another 99,000. To improve these statistics, hospital staff members across the country are taking action. At Pacific Hospital in Long Beach, California, only dangerous bacteria are targeted. Hospital staff feed patients yogurt to keep digestive bacteria balanced, bathe patients with soap designed to maintain skin's natural pH and use antibiotics only when necessary.
Another bright spot in the infection control fight is the checklist designed by Dr. Peter Pronovost from Johns Hopkins University and Hospitals. Pronovost's checklist protocol is aimed at reducing infections when inserting a central venous catheter. According to his checklist doctors should:
- Wash their hands with soap
- Clean the patient's skin with chlorhexidine antiseptic
- Put sterile drapes over the entire patient
- Wear a sterile mask, hat, gown and gloves
- Put a sterile dressing over the catheter site
In Michigan, more than 1,700 lives and $246 million were saved in the first three years the checklist was adopted, according to the state hospital association. Other hospitals across the United States, the United Kingdom, Spain and Peru are adopting the checklist. To read more about how hospitals are preventing infection, click here.
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Psychiatric nurse practitioner Veronica Decker is the author of the recently-published guide "Coping with Cancer." She is also a cancer survivor but wasn't when she wrote the patient guide. Now she has experienced first hand the side effects and emotional ups and downs she previously wrote about. "We knew what patients had said but experiencing chemo is so hard... that sick nauseating feeling is real. It's not like you can think it away," Decker said in an interview with the Detroit News. For more of Decker's story, click here.
To buy "Coping with Cancer", click here.
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The Association for Professionals in Infection Control (APIC) is launching an online course library to educate healthcare workers on preventing healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). The first module covers elimination of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in hospital settings. Courses will include case studies, links to published guidelines, real-time feedback and CE credit for completed work. For more information, click here.
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The relationships that develop between patients and healthcare providers are interesting ones. Being sick or injured forces a person to divulge a detailed health history to a complete stranger. When a person is thrust into the healthcare process nurses are the most consistent presence, following patients from admission to discharge. By establishing the right tone of caring, a nurse can provide a patient with a much-needed source of understanding and comfort. Mary Washington Hospital in Fredericksburg, VA utilizes a Care Delivery Model that demonstrates commitment to patient care. To see the model and learn more, click
here.
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Hint of Plum
A hospital in Scotland has introduced a nurse-led vascular access service to reduce waiting times for patients needing long term venous access for treatments including chemotherapy, long-term antibiotics and renal dialysis. The nurses who are part of the service insert central venous catheters and are also responsible for the training and education of other healthcare professionals. Since implementation of the service the hospital has seen a reduction in complications. For more information on the service and the process the hospital followed to implement it, click here.
Photo Credit: Elfsternberg
Viva Las Vegas! Join Navilyst Medical September 15-17 for the Association for Vascular Access
2009 Annual Conference. Numerous workshops and sessions are planned to ensure what's learned in Vegas... Doesn't stay in Vegas! One timely session topic not to miss: Survival 101 for Vascular Access Programs in a Time of Healthcare Economic Uncertainty... It's all about the DATA!
Stop by Navilyst Medical Booth 400 to learn more about products and technologies delivering the highest standard of patient care including: Xcela® Power Injectable PICCs and Ports, EZ Huber® Safety Infusion Set, Enhanced PICC Convenience Kits and the newest addition to the PASV® Valve Technology family, the Xcela PICC with PASV.
Photo Credit: Motel George
Certain illnesses and conditions require patients to have frequent blood draws or multiple infusions of medication. In these cases, a central line is often the recommended course of action. Peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) and ports are two types of central lines. Read more about PICCs and ports and some risks and benefits here.
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Could that rash on your child's face be chicken pox? Is the discomfort in your chest the early signs of a heart attack or just indigestion from over indulging in Chinese food? According to recent report released by the
Pew Research Center's Internet & American Life Project and the California Healthcare Foundation, 61 percent of American adults are searching online for medical advice and information.
While many people are busy Googling their latest ailment, the Internet places third (tied with books) behind going to the doctor and talking to friends or family members for medical advice. For more on the study, continue reading
here.
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jonlarge